Two more Mississippi women have been violated by men in women’s private spaces, just this week 

Two more Mississippi women have been violated by men in women’s private spaces, just this week:

APRIL 3, 2024: Man arrested for looking under stalls in women’s restroom at D’Iberville MS Walmart. 

APRIL 3, 2024: Madison woman reports a man in Flowood Target dressing room who watched and videoed her undressing over the dressing room wall. She says Flowood police have identified the man and have a warrant for his arrest. 

We have previously reported on other instances of Mississippi women/girls being raped or their privacy violated by men who gain access to women’s safe spaces:  

• July 2021: Mississippi Man Brutally Attacked and Raped Woman in Bathroom Stall at Gulfport Mall after hiding in the bathroom waiting on woman.
• May 2019: 38 yr old restaurant worker followed 12-year-old into Ridgeland, MS restaurant bathroom to get her number. He later raped her in his truck.

• Oct. 2013: Mother says her special needs daughter was raped in Calloway High school girls’ bathroom. 
• Oct. 2012: Woman says she was the victim of a male voyeur at football game; man recorded video of her in a bathroom at university football Stadium. 
• May 2011: Biloxi man charged after woman says he looked under casino bathroom stall wall. 

These are just a few of the many stories that share the same theme: women being violated in their safe spaces. If you want to see more examples from across the nation, see the long list here.

There is one bill currently before the legislature that would keep men out of women and girls’ women’s private spaces such as bathrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, dorms, sorority houses, etc.—The SAFER Act, SB 2753.  

The SAFER Act, sponsored by Senators Josh Harkins and Jeremy England, will:

• Protect the safety and privacy of Mississippi’s girls and women,
• Define a woman and man from birth, and
• Provide a cause of action for any violation of the Act.

There are several Mississippi bills out there that define a man and a woman, but this is the only bill that takes the next step and protects girls and women’s safe spaces.

The bill overwhelmingly passed a Senate floor vote, passed out of the House Judiciary A Committee, and now awaits a House floor vote. The deadline for action is April 10th. So we need your help.

Your Representatives need to know they have your support.  Will you stand with our courageous lawmakers? If so, kindly ask your Representative to support this bill.

And please do thank those in the Senate: Senators Josh Harkins and Jeremy England, Committee Chair Senator Brice Wiggins and the members of Senate Judiciary A Committee, and those brave Senators who voted yes in the floor vote. 

Please thank those in the House: Speaker Jason White, Committee Chair Representative Joey Hood, and the members of Judiciary A committee! 

Capitol Switchboard: 601-359-3770.

Find your Representative and Senator here: https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/

Your support means so much!

– Lesley